Need help understanding football...

shurato

Platinum Member
Sep 24, 2000
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I've decided that I need a new sport to watch...I cant seem to stomach watching baseball these days and basketball season is still a ways away. So to a total newbie, where can i find out about how football is played? I must not be googling right because I cant find anything that details how the sport is played... for example, i have no idea what positions do what and etc...
 

fatbaby

Banned
May 7, 2001
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Well there are these 2 goalies which guard the goal. The objective is to hit the ball into the opposing teams goal.
 

Cyberian

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Jun 17, 2000
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Originally posted by: fatbaby
Well there are these 2 goalies which guard the goal. The objective is to hit the ball into the opposing teams goal.
That's downhill skiing, silly!!

 

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
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A bunch of men in tights run around on a wet grassy field trying to tackle one another. Then they slap their teammates on the ass after they get back up.
 

wfbberzerker

Lifer
Apr 12, 2001
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Originally posted by: fatbaby
Well there are these 2 goalies which guard the goal. The objective is to hit the ball into the opposing teams goal.

wait, which football is he talking about? fatbaby's got a point
 

Broohaha

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Jan 4, 2001
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each team has 4 tries to gain ten yards. if they dont the other team gets the ball. hence, most teams really only have THREE tries to get ten yards because they want to PUNT the ball on their fourth try to prevent the other team from getting good field position.

that's the most fundamental concept in football: understanding down and distance.

i.e. 1st and 10, 2nd and 5, etc.

6 points if you are able to get the ball into the end zone with a pass or run
1 point if you are able to make the kick after

3 points if you are able to make a kick from anywhere on the field not following a touchdown.
 

shurato

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Sep 24, 2000
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Well I know the basics, the means of scoring and etc...would like to find out what each position does and some of the other basics of "american" football.
 

Crappopotamus

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Oct 1, 2002
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ill start.

lineman = fat men who line up and crash into each other
quarterback = throws the ball after the snap

 

Supermercado

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Jan 18, 2002
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I'm bored, so I'll try and give you a short rundown of the positions (I hope I don't forget any)

- Quarterback = handles the ball on almost every offensive play. Either passes to a receiver or hands off to a back
- Backs = Running backs, tailbacks, fullbacks. As far as I know, running back and tailback are the same and their primary job is to take the ball from the quarterback and run with it. The fullback's job is normally to block for the running back.
- Receivers = Lots of different names for different places on the field (split end, flanker, etc.). Their job is primarily to catch the ball but are sometimes used as blockers for the running back. Tight ends are also sometimes receivers, but they also block alongside the offensive line
- Offensive line = one of them snaps the ball to the quarterback (the center) and they all either block so that the quarterback can throw the ball or so that the running back can run effectively (they try to push the defensive players into certain spots, opening "holes" for the back to run through. I think that's it for offense...

- Defensive line = play opposite the offensive line and try to do what the offensive linemen are trying to prevent them from doing: either "sacking" the quarterback, breaking up pass plays, or tackling backs running out of the backfield. They've got all sorts of names (nose tackle, etc.), but what you see a lot is two defensive ends and two defensive tackles).
- Linebackers = Play behind the defensive linemen. Their job is to make plays, basically. The d-linemen tie up the o-linemen so the linebackers can come up through the holes and stop backs coming out of the backfield. They also drop into pass protection, most often covering backs and tight ends.
- Secondary = includes cornerbacks (line up at the line of scrimmage opposite a receiver), and safeties (strong and free, who provide deep coverage in the middle of the field and help the cornerbacks)

There's also "special teams." Outside of the other positions, these include the placekicker (kicks field goals and PATs (point after touchdown, also called an extra point) and the punter (as someone else mentioned, if it's fourth down, the team usually punts the ball so the other team doesn't get good field position and have a short distance to score). That's the punter's job.

Whew. I think that's pretty much it. I'm sure I forgot some position or got something wrong somewhere. Hope it helps, though.
 

shurato

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Sep 24, 2000
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wow thanks supercommando:) that was pretty much what i needed, a laymans terms of the positions...that helped alot.
 

jagr10

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Jan 21, 2001
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Actually, you'd be surprised as to how much you can learn playing a video game of the sport! You also learn about the players, teams, etc. Try playing sports video games.